Scientists propose removal of policy hurdles for widespread use of GM crops technology

Scientists at the 102nd Indian Science Congress in Pune called for removal of policy hurdles to facilitate widespread use of genetically modified (GM) crops technology.
 

Former Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research Rajendra Singh Paroda chaired the symposium on 'GM crops - The Use of Modern Biotechnology in Agriculture', where participants spoke of a burgeoning population and the need for GM crops to ensure food security. It was, however, pointed out that due to failure of GM crops in Vidarbha and other parts of the country, farmers have turned to "desi" or indigenous varieties of crops.
 

Others said that an attempt has been made to spread misinformation about GM crops by using media and non-governmental organisations.
 

Paroda said GM crops should be encouraged on a scientific basis in the interests of farmers. He expressed displeasure over non-use of Bt brinjal despite successful trials. Scientists said that The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, pending before Parliament, should be cleared quickly and until then, an ordinance must be promulgated.
 

Bryan Delaney of Global Industry Affairs and Regulatory, USA, who spoke on 'Safety Assessment of Intractable Proteins from Genetically Modified Crops' said that proteins play an important role in GM crops. He informed the audience about the progress in Elisa test research in GM technology.
 

Deepak Pental of the Department of Genetics, of the University of Delhi spoke about research in India on GM crops. While GM crop technology is being used all over the world, India imports edible oil worth Rs 60,000 crore per year. Misconceptions about GM crops should be removed and their use should be encouraged, he said. 
 

Anupam Verma, senior scientist at the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, said that all over the world, there are 18 million farmers who use GM technology in crops. There has been extensive research on GM soyabean, maize as well as cotton and these should be immediately used in India, he said.
 

The reason behind the failure of Bt cotton crop was mainly drought, excess rainfall and crop epidemic, he said. There is no shortage of human resources in GM crop technology in India and all crops should be brought under GM technology by 2020, he said. JL Karihaloo, Co-ordinator of the Asia Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology, New Delhi, said that policy changes on the issue of GM crops should be speeded up and investment as well as research in this field should get a boost.